Theolnius Monk: Modernist Pioneer

Wednesday 11 October, 7.30 – 9.30pm, British Library

Culture& in association with the British Library commemorate the centenary of the birth of iconic jazz composer Thelonious Monk.

Join us for an evening of live performance and an illustrated lecture that will bring a new dimension to classic tunes.

Epitomising artistic originality, candid eccentricity and indifference to conventional rules of performance, Thelonious Monk emerged in the 1940s as one of the high priests of bebop. Regarded as one of the most enigmatic and unusual jazz composers, Monk, whose unique improvisational style, with rigorously structured and surreal themes, created some of the most innovative and unsentimentally beautiful music in the history of jazz.

Featuring performances by Peter Edwards, director of the Nu Civilization Orchestra and award winning jazz vocalist, Filomena Campus, the evening will also provide a chance to view rarely seen footage of Monk from The British Library collection. American Writer and cultural critic, Candace Allen will be joining performers for a panel discussion, led by Culture& Artistic Director, Errol Francis.

Thelonious Monk: Modernist Pioneer is a trailer to the Monk Misterioso: A Journey into the Silence of Thelonious Monk by Theatralia at the EFG London Jazz festival at Kings Place on 18 November 2017.